Ana O'Brien and her father Aidan© Photo Healy Racing
Ana O'Brien will create history when she rides Beyond Brilliance in the Darley Irish Oaks as the first female to participate in the Classic.
Trained by her father, Aidan and owned by her mother, Anne Marie, the young O'Brien has ridden the filly all season and the pair have got to know each other very well as Beyond Brilliance has been especially busy.
This will be her 11th start of the season but it is a case of job done already as she gained black type on her last start when third in a Killarney Listed race this week. Anything else will be a bonus for the family.
She said: "It's a great opportunity and I'd just like to thank everyone for giving it to me.
"She's been improving all year so it was great to get some black type with her.
"It's been going well this season. I've had nine winners (overall), four this year, and I hope to just keep improving away and get a few more winners.
"She won a handicap at Navan, then just got beat in one at Leopardstown, she's been improving all year.
"This will be the first time she has run over a mile and a half so hopefully she can run a nice race, hopefully she'll get it, she's been showing signs that she should.
"I'm delighted to be getting the opportunity so hopefully she'll run a nice race.
"You'd be hoping and dreaming that she could get placed or go close but it will be a hard task for her."
